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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144084, 1 May 1913, Page 2

April has been unusually dry in tho Hawera district, the Star suys,_ tho rainfall having totalled but an inch. •Generally rain is required, and a warm rain would be of great advantage to the farming and dairying industry. It having come to the knowledge of' tho committee that some people are' under ! thei impression tlialt the Mountain Hostelry in closed tire committee wish to announce • that tho house will bo kept going as at present until the end of June at anyrato.

The wire standards that were ordered some considerable time ago for use on tho mountain as a guide to climbers leaving the crater have only just come to hand, and ns tho season is over so far as climbing is concerned, it is not proposed to have them fixed until the beginning of next season. Authority has been given for Senior Cadet companies in uniform, in charge of any officer* to visit H.M.S. rvew Zealand when she is at New Plymouth. The cost will bo borne by the Department of Internal Affairs. It is hoped that a similar privilege will bo extended to veterans, and Captain Stevens, of tho Hawera" office, is now trying to arrange for this.—Star.

Tho accommodation at the polling booth at the East End is quite inadequate when votes on three issues have to be counted. The consequence yesterday was that tho work could not bo divided, and therefore the results took a long time to got out. It would bo preferable, to make use of tho Coronation Hall, jrhere certainly there is no lack of space. ( Tho secretary of the (Jruti Nursing Association reports as follows: —Alias Kelly, district nurse, is now away on her annual leave. She will resume duty on May 7. Mr. J. Smith, of liriti, has donated £1 towards the nursing cottage. Tho delay in the .starting of the building of the cottage hos)>itai is duo to tho slowness of the official staff at headquarters in Wellington, who are in possession of tho plans, etc. Picture enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that Mr. G. H. Saunders has arranged for the re-appearance in New Plymouth of Mr. Alfred Boothman-, Australia's premier dramatic elocutionist. Mr. Boothman will appear at tho Empire Picture Palace on May 7,8, and 9 in Edison’s 'latest masterpiece “Foul Play” taken from Charles llcade’s famous story, to. be followed by an adaption of “Dicken’s” immortal work “Oliver Twist.”

A very interesting discovery of fossilised bones was made by a party of Waverley residents at the Caves Beach on Sunday. When investigating the papa cliffs what appeared to bo the remains of a log uncovered by. a slip was noticed projecting from the cliff face. A small'piece was knocked off with a well-aimed pebble, and the party were then much amazed to discover, on examination, that their find was a fine specimen of fossilised bone. A rope was procured from the shelter house, and one of the dauntless ones was lowered a distance of 20 feet over the cliff. He returned with several good-sized pieces of the fossil. He stated that the bones visible were evidently’ portions of a largo skeleton that he had been able to trace vaguely in the rock formation. The most curious part of the business is the enormous size of the bones. The largest piece secured plainly showed the bone structure and substance. • Its diameter was calculated at about six and a half inches. A sample is being despatched to the curator of the Wellington Museum for his inspection. Although the price of leather has advanced considerably during the last two months, the quality of the 16s 6d boots at The Kash .remains the same. They were fortufßfte enough to place their orders seven months ago at firm prices. This 16s 6d men’s boot can be had in seven distinct shapes and weights, and, every month sees a great advance in the number of boots sold. Get a pair. You’ll bo perfectly satisfied with the wear,*

Concerning Pelorua Jack, it is interesting to learn (says tho Pioton Press) that, notwithstanding tho report to the contrary, tho famous fish has been seen within the last few months—not in his usual circle near the French Pass, but in Admiralty Bay,

“Tommy, did you carry your hooks on the left side this morning?” demanded his mother. “Yes’m.” “Very well. Now, don’t forget to carry them on the right side to-morrow morning.” “What difference does it make'?” growled dad. “That shows what kind of a father you are,” snapped the mother. “If the child didn’t alternate he might get curvature of the spine.” A very small dog created a great stir in the streets of Paris a few days ago. A bijou pet dog was seen in the Champs Elysees with a lady. It was wearing iudiarubber hoots laced high up the leg. ear protectors, goggles to shield his eyes from cold or mud, and a Raglan overcoat lined with thick flannel and provided with a pocket, from which projected a tiny handkerchief -with a monogram.

‘Tf you want to give Masterton a hump, make Saturday the half-holi-day,” said Mr. H. Morrison at the meeting of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday last. This statement was received with a chorus of “hear, ■hears.” Mr. Morrison asserted that Saturday was the natural holiday for the small farmers. They came to Masterton on that day to do their shopping. It was stated by Mr. A. H. Cockayne at Masterton on Saturday last that the Ruakura experimental farm had developed a rust-resistant oat which was superior to any other grown in tho neighbourhood. East year a field of fifteen acres of this oat had returned 90 bushels to tho acre, with ten bushels of seconds. Mr. Cockayne said that it did not follow that the oat would be rust-resistant in otherparts of tho Dominion. It was, at any rate, a success in the Waikato.

Tho director of education for the Wanganui district, Mr. Braik, in Ida report to the board,on manual and technical instruction, expresses his satisfaction with recent developments in the teaching of elementary agriculture. Ho is of opinion that by tho time the new’ agricultural colleges are built there will be in’ the 'Wanganui education district no lack of students to fill. them. Even at the present time tlie board is supplying students to the State farms, and one boy has gone all the way to Hawkesbury College in Now South Wales, The opinion is expressed that the education requirements necessary for admission to these colleges should not be lower than those of the average pupil who spends not less than two years at secondary work. A few months ago Mile. Tierron, a young lady of llhoims, whether because she felt that her system required a tonic or because she had been in love, swallowed a packet containing four dozen of hor mamma’s most superior darning needles. For a long time nothing happened. But “rion no so pcrd dans la nature,” and needles, like murder, will out. About a week ago (writes the Paris correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph) the yonng lady experienced a sensation in the palms of her hands, which she described' in the apt, if homely, phrase as that of pins and needles. Needles, at least, indeed it was. For the last few days the hands and feet of, the young lady have been ejecting a needle per hour. Forty out of tho 48 have already been accounted for, and “still they come” is the cry of Milo. Tierron. But she must not do it again. It is really too much for her to swallow. It is almost too much for ns.

In connection with tho visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to New Plymouth, Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., has received the following telegram from tho Hon. H. D. Bell, Acting-Minister for Marine: —“Replying to your letter of tlio 25th, I am obliged by your suggestion and will ask tho Railway Department to run excursions on tho previous day. Arrangements will be made as suggested by you for Iwliday excursion rates to Now Plymouth on 16th and on the morning of Juno 17 from Hawora and all stations north of Hawora, also excursion tickets to Wanganui on Saturday, 14th. I. greatly, regret that it is impossible to extend the time of visit beyond one day. Every date is now allotted‘and the whole days of the second visit to Auckland are required for refit, coaling and provisioning prior to tho long voyage to Vancouver. With regard to the suggestion of the vessel voyaging by day along the coast from Wanganui it is essential she should travel by night to give tho full day at each place. Please make this public.”

Borne time ago M. Lefevre de Revel, au excise inspector, retired from his post, and, not knowing how to fill in his sparo time, began the task of writing his memoirs. Ha made excellent progress, and the number of volumes soon became amazing. Ho had them bound and gave them to his relatives and friends to read, and was Highly complimented by them. On page 64D of the eleventh volume, tho Paris correspondent of tho Daily News says, he wrote a will, leaving his fortune (about £16,000) to various friends. At the seventeenth volume he died. As none of his friends had had tho fortitude and persovorence to make their way as far as page 540 of the eleventh volume, they all remained in ignorance of this 'will, and tho next of kin took the fortune. A short time ago —that is, about ten years later —purely by chance, the will was discovered, and the friends named in the will have begun an action to recover the money. Tho Acadevnio Francaise may also plead for a share, to tho amount of £BOO, under the will. The anti-militarists should study some remarks recently made by_ Mr. Winston Churchill relative to the" war in the Balkans. Ho said: “Here was a war which had broken out in spit© of all that rulers and diplomatists could do to prevent it, a war in which the press had had no part, a war which the whole force of the money power has been subtly and steadfastly directed to prevent, which had cpme upon us not through the ignorance or credulity of the people; but, on the contrary, through their knowledge of their history and their destiny, and from their intense realisation of their wrongs and their duties as they conceived them, a war which from all these causes had burst upon them with all the force.of a spontaneous explosion, and which in strife and destruction had carried all before it. Face to face with this manifestation, who was the man who was bold enough to say that martial virtues did not play a vital part in the health and honour of every people. Who was the man who was'vain enough to suppose that tho long antagonisms, of history and of time could in all circumstances be adjusted by the smooth and superficial conventions of politicians and ambassadors.”

The Melbourne for “Ivy” mending wool, one-ounce balls sd, lovely toilet soap 4d, Viuolia shaving sticks Bd, 36inon longcloth 6d yard, Horrookses’ stuped flannelette 7}d yai|d, white and cream flannelette 5s lid dozen, .famous S.S.S. indigo drill lOd yard, grand, heavy towels, white or coloured,. Is each.*

The 1913 shooting season opened today, and a fair number of New Plymouth’ sportsmen have gone out into the country. Game ie said to he fairly plentiful;

During tho past month there were 32 births, 7 marriages and 15 deaths in' the district of the New’Plymouth registrar (Mr. J. S. S. Medley). The figures for the corresponding month of last year were 36, 14 and 9. “TheVe were two of the older girls who had never even seen a train—they didn’t know whether a lake was bigger than a river!” said Mr. T. Moss, referring at the meeting of the "Wellington Education Board on Tuesday to the country school excursions to H.M.S. New Zealand.

Our Kaimiro correspondent remarks: “The fear of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is very real with .some people, and therefore very effective. A man who had to drown some superfluous kittens got a tub *. f warm water to drown them in, observing that no charge of cruelty’ could be laid against him) because the kittens would rather enjoy it.” The West End Foreshore Improvement Society is doing excellent work on the Kawaroa Park, but as everyone knows, little can be done without 'funds. The society intends erecting suitable buildings for afternoon tea, etc., and for' the purpose of raising, funds for this and other necessary work a series of euchre parties and dances is to be held in the South Road Gymnasium throughout tho winter months. The first of the series will be held this evening, and the fact that excellent prizes, floor, supper and music will he provided should induce a record attendance at tho Gymnasium this evening.

An “independent” cable message from Vancouver, published in the Sydney Sun, states that a new mode of telegraphic transmission, of which Mr. John Gofct, consulting engineer of the ’Commercial Cable Co., is the inventor, made it possible the other day for Vancouver to talk instantly with London, a distance of 7000 miles. Some idea_ of. the rapidity- with which communication ■ can be carried on may be gathered . from the fact that within four minutes of the message being despatched jo ‘ London! a reply was received at Vancouver. The details of the inventionare, of course, secret, but this much is known, that it repeats the cable signs to the land instruments, thus saving much time. It is claimed that if the invention is .adopted the transmission of cables between London and Australia will bo considerably expedited. “If your Honour will allow me, I propose to pay the amount of this claim at once,” remarked a defendant, with an air of insouciance, in the Banco Court at Melbourne last week. With that ha quietly placed five one hundred pound bank notes on the barristers’ table, in front of plaintiff’s counsel, and resumed his seat. The action was one in which two former bookmakers were at law. This sudden “blow out”, seemed to paralyse counsel for plaintiff ‘for a moment. As soon as he had recovered his breath he hinted that he . was not altogether satisfied with this novel and summary mode of disposing of tho case. A charge of misconduct,, as far as racing etiquette was concerned, had been made against his client, who was apparently desirous of entering the witness-box with tho view of clearing his character. Tho Chief Justice, however, turned a deaf ear to the suggestion, and strongly advised counsel not to refuse to take ready money. Plaintiff took the money. Tho Christchurch Press remarks: “The well-meaning Auckland gentleman who wishes to- prevent tho officers and men of the New Zealand from enjoying a glass of wine while in Auckland, is not satisfied with tho sensible attitude of tho Mayor. We have covered the subject already, and only mention it here in order to give the prominence it deserves to ; an excellent example of prohibitionist reasoning. Tho Auckland gentleman thus concludes his letter to the Reception Committee: ‘A suggestion to limit the quantity of alcoholic drink to which each; man is entitled, is an acknowledgment that alcohol is a source of danger, and, therefore, something which .should not A be provided.’ That is tho clearest ; statement we have yet seen of the whole Prohibitionist doctrine In excess, alcohol does harm; therefore, away with it. A suggestion to limit the quantity’ of beef, tea or quinine which a' man may take, must equally ha an acknowledgment that beef tea and quinine are sources of danger. But should they therefore bo banned?”

The Investors’ Guardian has an interesting article on banks and their investments, and an : ’".lysis of tho Accounts of the various banks shows that the great stock banks of London have apparently lost faith in British Government securities, and are more and more investing their funds in - other direcin British Government securities £44,204,61£, while last year this amount, had been reduced to £36,127,339; and while these securities show a decrease of over £B,ooo,ooo,'the investments in other, than British Government securities hfl-ve increased by £1*5,686,000. Last year 11 banks had to provide no less than £1,399,600 to cover depreciation. Whatever may bo the causes for the great depreciation which has taken place in the market prices of British Government securities—and it is admitted that the depreciation has been greater than elsewhere—it .is a fact that the large institutions are showing a disposition not to increase, hut to decrease, their investments in British Government stock; in fact, one very large insurance company is gradually getting rid of these investments and reinvesting its 1 funds in foreign giltedged securities and American public utility bonds. Mr. C. Carter had an attractive window display last night, which was the subject of inuch admiration and praise. The window was dressed to represent a polling-booth, and there were caricatures of three of the foremost contestants at the local municipal elections. Cards placed at sundry places in tho display advised tho public to “Vote for Carter,” and on the Hag were the word “Carter tops the poll.”

All Saturday hockey players are reminded of a meeting to be held in St. Mary’s Hall at 7 o’clock to-night. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Association will be held in the Council Chambers at 8 o’clock.

\ll intending players of the Star Football Chib are requested to attend a meeting in the Town Hall to-morrow evening at 7.30.